Fewer foreign students enroll in U.S. universities

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/14/education/14enro

November 14th, 2005

The New York Times reports that the number of foreign students enrolled in U.S. universities dropped slightly in the 2004-05 academic year, according to an annual survey funded by the U.S. State Department. The study, performed by the Institute of International Education, found that 565,000 foreign undergraduate and graduate students were studying at American universities, a 1 percent decrease compared to the previous year. Reasons for the decline, ongoing since 2001, include “difficulties students have experienced in obtaining visas, especially in scientific and technical fields, and the increased cost of tuition,” the paper reported. “There has also been more competition from universities in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as a significant expansion in the capacity of universities in India and China.” (Note: This site requires registration.)